I Chronicles 28:20 - 29:9 - David's Final Temple Guidance

I Chronicles 28:20 - 29:9

Then David said to his own son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished." (verse 20)

Message: David's Final Temple Guidance

Time: 1 Chronicles has a mystery writer and focuses on David's reign though doesn't repeat David's sin with Bathsheba. It was written in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah or 538-333 BC while the Jews were dispersed throughout Persia, some having returned from Israel. The book lists genealogies, pr+iests, Levites, armies, temple officials, and other leaders of various ministries and devotes significant attention to proper worship of Yahweh and adherence to the regulations of the Law. It focuses on obedience that results in God’s blessing, the priority of the temple and priesthood, and the unconditional promises to the house of David.

What the Lord is Saying: Previously, in chapter 28, David commissions Solomon to build the temple, to trust God, be obedient to His commands and gives him detailed instructions on the inside building of the temple and its attributes. 

Solomon has a big responsibility. Most thought probably that David would be building the temple, but instead Solomon has the responsibility. I think of Joshua who would be responsible for taking the people into the promised land when it seemed like this would be Moses role. And just like Joshua in chapter 1 being told to "be strong and courageous" Solomon hears the same words from David. God will be with him. Yes, he is told to respond to the Lord with obedience but there is also this promise that "the lord God, My God is with you." God is there with us. 

And David tells him that "every willing man of any skill will be with you in all the work for all kinds of service." In addition to God being with him, men will be with him. God works through us and God works through others to accomplish his purposes. 

David speaks "to the entire assembly" as chapter 29 begins and records. He lets them know of the great project and the great provision of material. The people see the need and "offered willingly." The people rejoiced in this manner. They received a great joy in also providing in a willing manner. 

Let us do the same and contribute to the church our works, our actions and our funds. God is doing a great work and we have the opportunity to be involved. As we do, we will be blessed.

Summary: David gives Solomon a final charge of strength and courage and speaks to the leaders and their respond with willingness and providing their resources as well in building the temple. 

Promise: Let us generously support the work of the church as Christ builds His kingdom on earth.

Prayer: God, you are doing a great work. Let me be strong and courageous and let me and others be willing to be involved and get excited about this great work. Thank you for the church and our opportunity to be involved. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Samuel 23-24 - David's Last Words

2 Samuel 23-24

The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, he who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through sunshine after rain. (verse 2-4)

Message: David's Last Words

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: The author of 2 Samuel in chronicling David's life starts 2 Samuel 23 by saying, "These are the last words of David." David is raised high, anointed and the sweet Psalmist. "The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me" and David mentions God equipping him to rule. God has set David apart by establishing a covenant relationship with him. David recognizes something special has occurred with God on his side. Not every person is set aside. Some are worthless. 

David describes the perfect king as well, chosen by God, ruling by God's hand, listening to God and being directed by him. Thus, this is what the ideal ruler looks like. 

David then mentions mighty men and their accomplishments: 

• Josheb-basshebeth - 800 slain by him
• Eleazar - struck the Philistines with 2 others; the Lord brought a great victory that day
• Shammah - took his stand, defended it and struck Philistines; the Lord brought a great victory that day
• Then 3 of the 30 men came to David in cave of Adullam. David wants a drink from the well. Got him drink but he would not drink it. 
• Abishai - swung his spear against 300 and killed them; he was most honored of the 30. 
• Benaiah - killed 2 sons of Moab; killed a lion, an Egyptian
• Then David mentions 1. Asabel, 2. Elhanan, 3. Shammah, 4. Elika, 5. Helez, 6. Ira, 7. Abiezer, 8. Mebunnai, 9. Zalmon, 10. Maharai, 11. Heleb, 12. Ittai, 13 Benaiah, 14. Hiddai, 15 Abi-albon, 16. Azmaveth, 17. Eliabba, 18. Shammah, 19. Ahiam, 20. Eliphelet, 21. Eliam, 22. Hezro, 23 Paarai, 24. Igal, 25 Bani, 26 Zelek, 27 Naharai, 28. Ira, 29 Gareb, 30. Uriah
• 37 in all 

The author here takes the time to mention and list these men. It is important to recognize others always. David did not work alone. He was a leader and had many men that came to his aid. These men formed an elite group that were involved in establishing David's rule. There is community and collective strength in establishing God's purposes. The church body has many members, all contribute and part of the whole. 

Summary: David mentions last words about characteristics of a Godly king and then also lists out all of the men that assisted him in establishing his kingdom. 

Promise: God is concerned not only with the central players in the story of redemption but also with the saints who play lesser parts.

Prayer: God, thank you for using everyone. It is good to recognize the importance of community, of many people working together for Your good. As I speak to someone that lives somewhat on an island and does not have many people in their life, I am reminded of the importance of having many, of the value in having multiple people that can assist and help. Thank you for gifting many the way you have and keep working out all for your glory. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 17:22 - The Church as the Glory of God

John 17:22 - The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;

Message: The Church as the Glory of God

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to look at the Human Angle of God's Glory or rather How God's glory is visible outside of Himself, but in relation to Him, I have studied His Glory as Creator, in salvation, in judgment, through Christ, and today also through the Church. 

As I looked at yesterday, Jesus Himself is the radiance of God's glory and today, I find out that the glory Jesus receives the Father, He gives also to us. Jesus is speaking to us about unity. He has a unity with God and He desires us to have this same unity with God the Father and Jesus. It is clear that unity is very important and this unity happens through receiving the glory of God. And yet the glory that is shared is not divine glory because that is a glory that no man can be in the presence of and live (currently as sinners before God). And so the glory that has been passed onto us must be a different type of glory. It is a glory that is marred, and yet over time seems to be a glory that will grow. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. - So the glory of God can be seen in us and yet over time we are being transformed into the same image (Genesis 1:26). 

This glory is a derived glory. It comes to us and so is not a part of us until Jesus gives it to us. The church can then be referred to as the Glory of God and as we are seen to those in the world, it could be that the Light which Jesus describes as us, is this Light from the Glory of God. 

Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

I have never thought about this light being a manifestation of the bright light of the glory of God and so a light that the World can see. Scripture also speaks of the church as a lampstand (Revelation 1).  Our light glorifies the Father. 

Summary: We receive a derived glory from Jesus and we the Church are to be a light to our world, all in unity. 

Promise: As we love one another and enjoy God’s presence in our midst, our light shines before others, and they are directed to the Lord in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, you have illuminated me in the reading of Your word as you daily do. Thank you for the glory that I have received from You. And for showing me that I am a light to our world because you are the light. Thank you for giving me Your Glory as a light and I pray that we, the church, would shine bright You and we would rightly glorify You. Show us how we need to be united for the purpose of giving Glory to God and testifying before mankind of Your love. The unity that we need to have is for the purpose of showing people the Gospel of Jesus and how You change lives. 

Acts 6:1-7 - God's Will and the External Call

Acts 6:1-7 - Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Message: God's Will and the External Call

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to look at and study this idea of God's will on my life. The study can encompass a specific will for me that may be different from others. This is my vocation will or what I will spend my days doing on this earth. Many of us grow up learning and going to school with the ambition that following school we will enter the work force or that education will prepare us for doing work once we exit that learning phase of our life. Besides entering the workforce, for some the work of raising children and teaching them will be that vocation. So as we grow, we seek to know how we will be serving people. The workforce I have seen embodies or includes the work of ministry as well as layperson vocations. But in all vocations, I believe there is ministry work. For some, like me, that time serving is part-time or indirect while the minister or church worker is more directly spending time in ministry throughout their day. 

Thus, in this calling there is an internal call or that which I come up with or sense God calling me into, but there is also an external call or the confirmation I receive from others. 

I am still determining from scripture the calling spoken of in the Bible that pertains to non-ministry vocations. Non-ministry work is identified in scripture but the calling to do ministry is definitely identified. For example:

I Corinthians 9:16 - For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.

I Timothy 3:1 - It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

The calling, externally, is necessary because we are fallen creatures and our hearts can deceive us. Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick..."

Today's passage shows us that God does confirm a person's call through others in the church, other leaders as well as the congregation. Acts 6:1-7 mentions a specific need: providing food to widows. The leaders of the church had the entire congregation select 7 men to provide for this need. I previously looked at this passage as I considered the study and role of deacons. Acts seems to first identify a need and then select those to provide for that need. It seems we often operate in the church by selecting people to serve in the role of deacon and then work on identifying where they will serve. For example, recently several people in our Sunday school class identified that Pamela and I should be home group leaders. They believe we have a calling for this and possess abilities for this role. I think this is an example of external call as well as this passage in Acts of seeing a need and identifying those that will serve that need. Perhaps it would go further if we made these callings and service roles more official in these ways in the Body. Perhaps we need to look at all members with this in mind. It seems rather what we do is identify needs and wait for volunteers. 

Summary: In determining God's will, in addition to a person identifying for themselves where to serve, leaders and others around them, such as the congregation, also are involved in confirming this call. 

Promise: From Tabletalk - No matter our vocation, we should expect some kind of external confirmation that the vocation we desire is actually for us. Furthermore, we should be honest with friends and family regarding their vocations. We do not serve people well when we affirm their sense of internal call and yet it is obvious that they do not have the skills or aptitude for the vocation in question.

Prayer: Lord, there is always great joy in reading and studying Your word. It is always illuminating to me to read and discern what you are saying and how those words apply to our lives. I believe you give me this understanding through Your Holy Spirit but you also confirm it through the congregation and through leaders. Thank you for speaking to me and equipping me for the work of ministry. Thank you for helping me always see the importance of that work and how I need to always prepare myself to do that work. Your ways are clear and they make sense to how life is lived. 

I Timothy 3:1-7 - The Vocation of Elder

I Timothy 3:1-7 - It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control of all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 

Message: The Vocation of Elder

Time: Paul is writing to a young pastor in Timothy. He is writing to Timothy in about AD 63, who is serving the church in Ephesus. He is writing about church leadership and organizing the church. Paul gives practical and pastoral advice. 

What the Lord is Saying: For the reformers, all lawful work was a way for God to be glorified. And while no calling is greater than another, there remains different callings and different responsibilities and different requirements for those that are called. Two offices are recognized in the new Testament: Elders/Bishops and Deacons. Both are served by men only. For Elders/Bishops/Overseer, some churches distinguish between ruling elders that govern, others elders that teach. The translation today is overseer. 

I Timothy 3 describes the qualifications.  

As I read these verses, it seems these roles are restricted to males. But I recognize that in our churches today, and more noticeably in the last 20 years, these roles are often being held by women. In our society, the role of women has also changed and there is great equality put forth in our work places and work life to present the idea that these headship roles are interchangeable between men and women. I admit struggling with this. Perhaps because the Baptist church, where I have been mostly involved, does not allow this plurality. Even driving around town yesterday getting lunch, my wife and I drove by a church - Christian church, disciples of Christ, with a woman on the marquee as the minister of that church. 

It is a difficult concept or doctrine I think in our church lives. I think overall we give way to any form as long as it is reaching people for the gospel (the function of the church). And we see fruit that comes forth and so we believe therefore that because of the fruit, it must be okay or be allowed. Our Sunday school teacher brought up this at times in class, but perhaps he was speaking of coming against traditions such as Sunday only church versus Saturday, or dressing in jeans at church versus suits. So perhaps there are traditions that can be altered, but does this mean everything is to be altered. 

As I was sharing truth with someone at work last week, they brought up a problem they saw as a female in hearing that the Bible said that wives must be submissive to men. Or as she said must serve man. And yet I mentioned to her the great responsibility of the man - to love the wife. And I also mentioned, well, shouldn't two different sexes have two different roles. Otherwise, why are we made different. 

In any case, I Timothy 5:17 says, "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching." Thus, a role of an elder could be to preach and teach. And in our previous lesson from I Peter 5:1-3 it mentions that elders "shepherd the flock, exercising oversight."

Summary: Elders/Bishops/Overseers has specific qualifications/requirements - they are men set apart from society for a specific role of shepherding the flock which may include preaching and teaching. 

Promise: For the church members, God has placed elders as authority over us and we are to follow their direction and pray for them to govern the church wisely. 

Prayer: Lord, leadership in our churches can be a difficult subject. It is a hard one for me and I admit not being comfortable with the way the world or our different churches are allowing both sexes to be involved in these leadership and preaching roles. But Lord, I also want to submit to You always and ask that You be glorified. So help me Lord in this. Guide me and guide churches. For our elders and overseers and bishops, may we honor them. Help me Lord to not be so critical of their work. I think I often get more caught up in how they are leading rather than who they are. Meaning, they have met the criteria so help me to trust them more.  Thank you for the lesson of Your Word. 

TABLETALK - October 2017

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. 

• October - Sacraments (December 16, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
• September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 15, 2022)
• August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
• July - The right use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
• June was justification by faith alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
• May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
• April, salvation by grace alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
• March, the sovereign providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)  
• February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
• January, the doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019). 

The Efficacy of the Sacraments

Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace - Sacraments are signs that point beyond themselves to something else and convey the promises of grace and God. The Sign and the Thing Signified - There remains an importance in participating in the sacraments. And in this participation a union or relation between the sign and the thing signified. Word and Sacrament Together - These acts or rites we observe are empty without the words of God bringing these acts into significance with what Christ has done on our behalf.

Baptism

The Institution of Baptism - Baptism is commanded in Scripture following conversion and it is to be instituted in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, but the method can be any form with water over the person. Baptism and Regeneration - Baptism has regenerated all who believe in Christ alone for salvation. Baptism and Forgiveness - People who have repented need to be baptized. It confirms their new birth to the visible church. Baptism and Union with Christ - Baptism gives us a sign but in being baptized there also occurs a mystery - union with Christ in his death and resurrection. Baptism and Circumcision - Both circumcision and baptism are signs of the new life we have with God in Christ -- having been set apart from all the world to Him. Baptism and Time - Is baptism a new covenant sacrament and regeneration the same today as it was with circumcision in the old covenant? The idea here is that since regeneration occurred separate from circumcision, then with baptism this is also so. Baptism and Children - Baptism can include children of a believing parent to provide evidence of the sign of regeneration for the entire family. One Baptism - We are united with Christ in baptism. Baptism presents a picture of unity and I believe as a command it can be more than once if the person sees a value in this.

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper Commanded - The Lord's Supper has significance in light of the Passover. We are united with Christ and remember His Body and Blood Sacrifice. The Lord's Supper as Remembrance - The Passover remembered God saving the people of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The Lord's Supper remembers Jesus saving us all from eternal damnation because of our great rebellion to God. The Lord's Supper and Proclamation -  When I practice the Lord's Supper I am proclaiming Christ and what He has done for me in breaking His body and pouring out His blood to save me. The Lord's Supper and Feeding on Christ - Jesus is the Bread of Life. Like bread and wine (drink) I need to want him every moment of every day and I need Him to nourish me. The Lord's Supper and Examination - In coming to have the Lord's Supper, examine oneself, treat this meal as different from other meals and if there is a problem, don't partake of it till it is cleared up. The Lord's Supper and Fellowship - The Lord's Supper is an offering to the Lord of thanksgiving, peace, and fellowship whereby we partake of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance of his goodness and redeeming us.

The Preaching of God's Word

Preaching and the Preacher's Task - Sacraments must carry with them the study and preaching of God's Word. Confident in the Truth - Life will shift, will ebb and flow, grass will wither, flowers fade, but God's word remains and we remain confident in the truth of God. Law and Gospel - The Law shows us we are lost. Through faith we are saved or justified. Novelty in Preaching - There is novelty in preaching to encounter God's word and discover truths that we have not seen before. Our Highest Calling - We are to have a high value on our pastors and preachers who are our leaders in bringing the good news of the Gospel and God's word to the people.

The Power of the Gospel - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) - The apostles, the church fathers, and others were forerunners to the Reformation that Luther helped usher in 1517. And yet Luther himself voiced in a sermon in 1522 that we preach, teach, and write, but we do not force, "for faith must come freely without compulsion." It is a reminder that it is the Holy Spirit who brought revival and reformation to people. 

The Trauma of Holiness - RC Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - This article begins with RC telling us about 19th century atheists like Sigmund Freud who tried to figure out why there is religion at all. It seems to be because people have fears. People that murder can be dealt with somewhat through advancements of technology as well as bargaining with people through peace treaties. But nature is a natural terror and how do you bargain with nature. Granted, science can help us anticipate hurricanes and get us ready but still it comes. And so Freud argued that humans personalized nature and made gods so they could try and negotiate with these gods through pleading, praying, making sacrifices, repenting before. And eventually humans consolidated all gods into one. It is possible there could be religion without God. And yet the God of the Bible inspires far greater trauma than nature. Uzzah was struck dead by God when trying to steady the ark (2 Samuel 6:1-10). Isaiah was undone by meeting the God of Israel. So why would we create a God of terror when our aim is to combat terror? Thus, why would man create a holy God? Thus the reformers saw that the only way to endure God's judgment was being covered in the holiness and righteousness of Christ. 

Why the Reformation Still Matters - Michael Reeves (President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology) - On October 31, 2017 Pope Francis said that after 500 years Protestants and Catholics can mend the fences and move beyond disagreements. And yet, still to this day there remains a difference in theology. The reason the reformation occurred was at the start of the 16th century Europeans had been without a bible they could read for 1000 years. Instead of a gift they were led to believe that one had to earn their salvation and it would be presumptuous for anyone to believe they knew for certain their eternal outcome. It was Martin Luther who had a similar angst wondering if he died if he was really going to heaven. He was terrified of death. Thus the reformation gave people the good news that God saves sinners by His grace. 500 years ago it was not simply a reaction to a problem of the day. Yet today we still succumb to the idea that to be loved, we need to be attractive. And our culture of positive thinking and personal self-esteem has wiped away a need for a sinner to be justified. But Luther states that sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive. We need to continue to hold scripture and the Gospel high for all to see. 

Luther and His Significance - Stephen J. Nichols (President of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries) - Prior to 1544, protestant churches in Germany had been converted Roman Catholic sanctuaries but the Castle Church in Torgau, Germany was possibly the first protestant church. At its dedication, Luther declared that the only reason for the church is that the Lord will speak to us through His word in this place. 27 years had passed since he posted his Ninety-Five Thesis and had taken a stand on being saved by grace through faith alone and yet this moment committed people to worship God. Luther had committed his life to God and at first this commitment was a struggle as he saw the sinner that he was. It was not simply recognizing that he had sinned but that his sins were so numerous so he had no chance before God to be declared righteous. But he didn't have to earn it as righteousness was imputed to him (Romans 4:3). Interesting, but once he discovered this and was about this, preaching became what he loved and he did it often. After establishing that church, he would die 2 years later. And yet the Light of God's word continues to shine forth. 

Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide - Guy Prentiss Waters (Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi) - Even before the reformation the Bible was seen as authoritative. The Reformation challenged the idea that other authorities in the church were seen as equivalent to Scripture: veneration of Mary and saints, purgatory. Calvin upheld creeds and councils of the church. He simply wanted to surrender these to Scripture. Justification by faith has been taught by Roman Catholic church but it is seen as a lifelong process rather than a point in time justification. Thus, grace is progressive throughout a person's life, even leading up to advancing more after they die in purgatory. Reformers taught that our justification is not based on our deeds, but what Jesus has done. This justification produces good works and not a license to sin. 

The Geography of the Reformation - Ryan Reeves (associate professor of historical theology and assistant dean of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) - The land of the reformation speaks to how our nations have embraced or rejected the Reformation. Germany was still the Holy Roman Empire in the 1500s. The emperor was elected by seven electors throughout Germany. It was the Habsburg dynasty that held title then and later to Napoleon. Luther went on trial at the Diet of Worms and yet Frederick, an elector believed his condemnation was not just and Luther was allowed to remain leader of the Lutheran church for 25 years rather than being executed. Nearby what we know as Switzerland today was Geneva, a city somewhat separate from rulers. The Netherlands was also separate from the influence of foreign rulers. A separation occurred with the North kind to Calvin and the South largely Roman Catholic. The biggest rival to Germany was France led by Francis I, a humanist initially kind to Calvin but later mocked him. England seemed least likely to embrace Protestantism if not for Henry VII taking the crown. He wanted to root out Protestantism, but he had conflict with the Roman Catholic church when he wanted to divorce his wife after her miscarriages and marry his brother's wife.  England's rival to the north was Scotland. Jon Know fled to Scotland but then had an adversary in Mary, Queen of Scots until she had to flee to England after the murder of her husband. Reform began and King James VI supported the English Bible translation that bears his name. Presbyterian was established in Scotland by Knox's death in 1572. 

The Women of the Reformation - Rebecca Vandoodewaard (mother and blogger and author of several books) - Interesting article that is a good reminder that while the men of the faith tend to get all of the notoriety because of their writings, there are women there supporting them, teaching children, and ministering as well to men that come to visit. In many ways, a man's vocation is singular while a woman's is much more multi-faceted and engaging in many different activities. Katharina Luther (1499-1552), wife of Martin Luther; Anna Bullinger (1504-1564), wife of Heinrich Bullinger (head of the church of Zurich);  queen Jeanne d' Albret (1528-1572); Katharina von Zimmern (1478-1547); Marguerite de Navarre (1492-1549); Katharina Zell (1497-1562); Charlotte de Mornay (1550-1606). 

Continuing the Reformation - W. Robert Godfrey (President and Professor of Westminster Seminary California) - We need to continually be about "reformed and always reforming." "We also agree with the Reformers that various traditions of the church, from ancient and medieval times, drifted away from the Word of God and therefore had to be reformed or corrected by the Bible." We do make changes in history of how the message of truth engages with culture. John Calvin believed in a state religion while others today believe in a separation. Remember, the great commission is the program for the church. Christ has authority always over the church. We are to preach, teach, and baptize. We are to preach all of Christ and His teachings. Jesus will always be us. 

The Examined Life - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (senior pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - We must always examine our ways and life. Socrates stated, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Our adversary distracts us with the cares of this world. It is okay to enjoy things, but don't let that enjoyment take over your life. "What am I living for?" "What is the final destination of my soul?" Death will impact everyone. May we examine the state of our soul. 

When Temptation Comes Knocking - Melissa R. Kruger (women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - I Corinthians 10:13 remains a great verse reminder about temptation. Today I want to focus on the phrase, "common to man" and how much my pride doesn't want to know this. Instead my pride wants to think that my experiences are unique, different from others, so that people will sympathize more when they hear my circumstance and also understand better when I give into sin. But the Spirit wants to show me that others have faced this and I can be like them and get out of the sin. The key is that in our temptation, Christ is there, and I can choose instead to walk in His ways. 

What Should I Do - Thomas Brewer (Managing editor of Tabletalk magazine) - We ask ourselves this question in many different forms a lot. God gives us freedom but we need to stay in His parameters even when it comes to eating, working, traveling, and living. Remember I Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Do the basics at the very least. 

Love the Church Over Its Health - Dr. Jonathan Leeman (editorial director of 9Marks; elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - As leaders and people in church we need to remember people are at church and they need our love. We need to not be so shut off towards people that disobey or do things in an unorthodox way, like allowing their unregenerate children to observe the Lord's Supper. This should mean to us that we need to do a better job educating them, but in the meantime people still need to be loved. We do this because of what Christ has done for us, not because of what they do. 

Daily Gifts - Nathan W. Bingham (vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries) - My oldest daughter is having a birthday. Birthday signs are overhead and she will receive gifts. Parents will experience this joy of seeing this from their kids. Gifts are free, but often we receive gifts with ingratitude, preferring something else or boasting, very proud that we have it. We often boast in life, over our achievements and yet scripture says, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord (I Cor. 1:31)." The Christian life is a gift. Every breath is a gift. Prayer is a gift as well, giving thanks to God. This is the Christian's daily anthem. 

Why We Protest - R. Albert Mohler Jr. ((President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - 500 years ago, the Reformation affirmed that the Bible alone is the final, infallible authority for life and doctrine (Sola Scriptura). This gave reformers courage to separate from Rome. The inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture was under attack then and it continues today. After the Reformation came the Enlightenment period which dominated Europe (17th and early 18th centuries) with the claim that only scientific data (not scripture through special revelation) can be objectively understood, objectively defined, and objectively defended; it did not allow for special revelation or the possibility of supernatural intervention in history. The church in crisis, it continues. In the US, pragmatism voiced that truth is relative to the time, place, need, and person. Truth is a matter of social negotiation. Ideas are tools and their truthfulness determined whether it meets the particular needs of the time. And then postmodernism continues the assault on truth. Postmodernists are committed to total war on truth itself -- a deconstructionist project bent on the casting down of all religious, philosophical, political, and cultural authorities. But as Christians, we must return to the doctrine of revelation - having confidence in God's word in spite of the philosophical and theological problems of the age. God speaks. And He speaks to us in a way we can understand, revealing Himself. As such, the people of God remain in crisis; the war against the authority and truth of Scripture remains. Even in our evangelical institutions, the full truth of the Bible is challenged. For the Christian, the Reformer, the disciple, the Christ follower, scripture is the ultimate authority for life and doctrine. We must stay adhered to Scripture in our preaching. And so we protest - for Scripture to be rightly proclaimed, the church built up, and the message of the gospel reach to every corner of the earth. The health of the church is directly connected to the strength of our commitment to the authority and truthfulness of Scripture.

The Ninety-Five Theses - Martin Luther, October 31, 1517 - 1,2,3 - a life of repentance, not penance, inward, but also outward. 4,5,6,7 - Penalty of sin continues; the Pope cannot remit penalties or guilt, but pope can grant remission. God remits guilt. 8 - Penitential (penances) canons only on living. 9 - Holy spirit works through the Pope. 10,11,12. no Purgatory penances. 13,14,15 - The Dying freed from all penalties; imperfect love of dying brings fear. 16, 17, 18, 19 - Hell, Purgatory, Heaven differ; souls in purgatory; outside of ability to increase love or able to increase blessings; 20, 21, 22, 23 - Pope has limit to full remission of sins. Pope cannot free all. Pope remits not for those in purgatory. Remission only granted to most perfect (few). 24, 25, 26, 27 - People deceived to hear promise of release (by Pope) from penalty. No power over purgatory. Pope can only intercede. The soul can't be fly out of purgatory. 28 to 32 - Only power of God to intercede for church. no one can be sure of his own contrition. true repentant man is rare. those who think they are pardoned or sure of their salvation will be condemned eternally. 33, 34, 35, 36 - men must guard against thinking the pope reconciles people to God. only grace pope gives is sacramental pardons. every person must be truly repentant to be have full remission. 37, 38, 39, 40 - God grants benefits, not letters of pardon. 38 - Yet church remission and participation still needed by the pope; most educated it is difficult to grant pardons; true contrition seeks and loves penalties; 41, 42, 43, 44 - papal indulgences with caution; people should not think they are preferred; pope does not intend buying of pardons; better to give to poor or lend to needy; love works; 45, 46, 47, 48 - if see a man in need and passes him to give him money for pardon is an indignation; use money wisely, free will buying of pardons only not commandment; the pope needs prayer more than money; 49 to 54 - do not trust in pope's pardons; keep fearing God. no value in indulgence preachers; assurance of salvation by letter of pardon in vain; need to preach the Word of God not prefer preaching of pardons; 55 - the gospel is the greatest thing to be preached; 56, 57, and 58 - treasures of church, temporal treasure; grace inner, cross, death, hell for outward man; 59, 60 - St. Laurence treasure is church's poor; keys of church are that treasure; 61 to 66 pope power is sufficient for remission of penalties; most treasure is Holy Gospel of grace of God; makes first last; treasure of indulgences makes last first; so treasure gospel; fish for men; 67 to 72 - indulgences preachers cry are to promote gain; but actually smallest graces; admit papal pardons with reverence; pope's commission valued; don't preach against papal pardons; guard against lust/license of pardon preachers; 73 to 78 - harm to traffic pardons; madness to consider papal pardon of an impossible sin; pope does not remove venial sins; pope should focus on gospel. 79 to 89 - the work of the cross is greatest value; then mentions questions voiced that are voiced by the pope instead of gospel. 90 to 95 - Christians are to be diligent in following Christ, enter heaven through tribulation rather than false assurance of peace. 

2 Chronicles 5:1 - The Arts and the Worship Space

2 Chronicles 5:1 - Thus all the work that Solomon performed for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the utensils, and put them in the treasures of the house of God. 

Message: The Arts and the Worship Space

Time: Originally one book, 1 and 2 Chronicles was separated into 2 books around 200 BC when the Greek version of the Old Testament was translated. Many historical sources were compiled to detail this history of God's people. It covers the time from Solomon’s ascension to the throne (971 BC) until the southern kingdom of Judah was finally carried into exile in Babylon in 586 BC. It focuses on Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: Churches began in people's homes and then larger spaces were found to meet. As Christianity was legalized in Rome (323 AD), dedicated Christian sanctuaries were built and eventually from the 5th to 15th centuries more Gothic cathedrals and structures were built while some continued to meet in plainer buildings. Today, churches are even meeting in hold movie theaters or setting up daily at school auditoriums until their own buildings can be built or acquired. Thus, where we go is not as important as that we gather. 

It is normal and continues to be normal for houses of worship to be dedicated spaces for worshipping the Lord. 

Even in today's passage is the mention of gathering what is most precious to people and bringing them to the place in which people worshipped, the house of God. At the beginning of the history of God's people is the mention of the tabernacle and then later the temple of God was built. And so it seems likely that structures have been built for over 3,000 years. So it is normal for us to build these structures in all of their different sizes and dedicate places to the Lord. 

Summary: Places of worship are normal and should be present, either small places in homes or larger spaces that are rented or purchased. What is important is not always the form, but the function. 

Promise: While it is true that God can be worshipped anywhere, we are not to neglect the corporate worship of God's people. 

Prayer: Lord, again, I thank you for church and thank you for the gathering of people. I have so many memories of gathering with like-minded people in different places, from homes to apartments, to restaurants and basements (at Baylor), to small theaters and larger spaces, and even grandiose buildings of size and stature with beautiful artwork and special designated spaces for Worship. There have been many different forms, but the Word of God and the People of God has always been central. Thank you for working through us in this way and making You always the focus. Help me to continue to make this a priority and for those around me as well to make it a priority. 

Matthew 16:18 - The Enduring and Conquering Church

Matthew 16:18 - And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. 

Message: The Enduring and Conquering Church

Time: Matthew, one of the 12 apostles, is credited with this book, despite the fact that he did not sign it. Dating it's writing is difficult, but most agree it to be AD 60-65 since it does not mention the destruction of the temple in AD 70. A Jew, he includes 50 direct citations and many other indirect citations from the Old Testament. 

What the Lord is Saying:

As I write the summaries of the last 2 lessons, I notice that they are saying the same thing. I've had two lessons with basically the same idea - coming together and sharing in Christ's sufferings, exercising our spiritual gifts, for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ, and this is done by the way of Love. It is Love that we must be about. 

As I start this passage I see that church is something Jesus began. Had a comment from a person I correspond with recently who said Jesus never said to join a church, but he began church here in this verse is my thought. 

Tabletalk mentions that throughout history there have been various threats toward the church. Arianism - Alexandrian priest Arius (AD 256-336). Rather than Jesus being the same being as God the Father, assert that he was begotten or created for a specific time by God. Thus, not co-eternal with God. The closest belief system to this today is Jehovah's Witnesses though they don't pray to Jesus and they believe Jesus can fully know the Father. Other threats are communism and Islamic empires that have sought to kill Christians and their buildings. Secularization is transferring society from religious views to non-religious views with the belief that as society progresses and modernizes it becomes less religious. 

Yet these threats have not won. The church remains as do the people of God and the gospel continues to penetrate lives around the world. 

Today's passage citing Jesus' words on the church support this. The church will not simply endure but it will conquer (the gates of Hades shall not overpower it). Gates in ancient times were a defensive fortification for a city. As such the gates of Hades or Hell well not prevail against the church. Jesus promises this. 

Summary: It is true we are discouraged at times by what is happening in society, but the church continues and Christ's promise guarantees that it will conquer to the end. 

Promise: The church will never be finally defeated. 

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, thank you for stating that the church will prevail. It has and it will continue and I thank you for that statement that we can rest in. That the outcome for the church is sure. Thank you for this victory. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.

Church Leadership Offices

Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets. Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers - Only mention of pastors in the New Testament. 

Purpose of the Church

Our Arena for Growth - It is being at church, present, that we are to be equipped, build one another up, in order to grow in maturity. Communion in Gifts and Graces - As believers joining in Christ’s sufferings we have community, exercising our spiritual gifts, in order to grow up the Body of Christ. Receiving and Giving God's Love - We come together because of His sufferings, but once we are together, we are to be about exercising our gifts to build up and grow one another, and it is done with love. 

I Corinthians 12 - Communion in Gifts and Graces

1 Corinthians 12 - 'God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (24b-26)'

Message: Communion in Gifts and Graces

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

Historically, after the Reformation period, men and women sought to carry out and define further the doctrine from this period. One way was making doctrinal statements such as the Westminster Confession of Faith. It was published in 1647 and drawn up by the Westminster Assembly, a 121 person group of theologians appointed to restructure the church of England. Division of church government was on the rise at the time and this was an attempt to better align themselves with the Church of Scotland. In addition, during the Protestant Reformation at the beginning of the 16th century, the church of England had separated themselves from the Catholic Church, though it was still thought (by Puritans) that they remained very influenced by Catholicism. 

Chapter 26 of the Westminster Confession of Faith is the Communion of the Saints. One of the purposes of the church is expressed in section 1:

All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:(a) and being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,(b) and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.(c)

In reading this I see a lot to unpack. First, this community begins with who we are in Christ. Our first community is with Jesus Christ. But our fellowship with Him is different as it is with him in his graces - sufferings - death - resurrection - and glory. Interesting. I've never thought of it like this or maybe had it explained like this. 

John 1:16 - For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Romans 6:5-6 - For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Ephesians 2:5-6 - even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 3:16-19 - that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Philippians 3:10 - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

2 Timothy 2:12 - if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

I John 1:3 - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Wow. Those are some great verses and now it begins to make more sense. We have all received grace...united with him in death, in resurrection...old self crucified...alive by grace, raised and seated...we comprehend with all the saints to know the love of Christ...be filled...share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...endure, reign with him...fellowship with the Father and with His Son. 

I know these things, but this idea that I am united with him, having fellowship with him in these things he did. These things he provided for me. I'm just thinking about this and meditating on this. 

Just as we are united with Him, we are united to one another. Everything God did for us was out of love for us. And we can have this same love for one another. The way he loves can be the way I love. And then I or we can have communion with each other in each other's gifts and graces. 

I Corinthians 3:21-23 - So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

I Corinthians 12:7 - To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Ephesians 4:15-16 - Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Colossians 2:19 - and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

This second part hones in on the idea first of our unity. Even in our working together it is God that grows us. He is the one that makes the body grow. It is the Spirit manifestation in us that makes this possible. Each day I am to submit and surrender to Him and Lord, may your Spirit be filled in me. 

And the final part makes it clear that being united in Him and then united in each other makes our work an obligation. 

Romans 1:11-12 - For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Romans 1:14 - I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Galatians 6:10 - So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

I Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:14 - And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

I John 3:16-18 - By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Again, here are the truths from God's word. I am under obligation...to do good to everyone...to encourage one another and build one another up. I need to do good to everyone. That's intense. Everyone. Do good. But it should happen also. It should because of our unity in Christ, and because the Spirit is in us. 

In this vein and from the passage today found in I Corinthians is the encouragement that all of us working within the Body, within the Church, both locally and worldwide serve a function. No one part of the body is more important than another and every part is important. Our church has been celebrating service of late and those who have served and one such person that has been brought to the forefront is a man that has arrived at church to make coffee. It is a wonderful point of recognition. He has been doing it for 30 years and his wife and him will now take some time away to travel. Gifts have been purchased for him and he has been celebrated even through a video in church. It is a great thing and it goes to show that we are all valued in our serving. VBS ended as well with a great celebration of those that volunteered. This is how the church works and should live. We don't need recognition but it is nice when it occurs. It reminds us that we are all in this together. 

Summary: We are to do good to everyone, but especially those that we call our fellow believers. We are to exercise our spiritual gifts with one another. We are united with Christ in how he has provided for us for all eternity, and this brings us together also as followers of Christ, giving us the ability then to work effectively as members of the Body. 

Promise: We must use the gifts God has given us. We serve one another with the use of our gifts to make the church healthy and able to ward off the infections of impurity, false doctrine and an unloving spirit. 

Prayer: It is such a great joy Lord to read and study your Word. Thank you for bringing people together and the writing of the Westminster Confession 400 years ago. You still use that for me today to help me understand better your words. Thank you for the clarity of Your Word and the joy it brings. Lord, help us to continue to work as Your Body and continue to support those that are in need. I pray that Your Gospel will continue to be preached. Raise up people to continue to get out of their comfort zones and serve those that need to hear. Be glorified in what we do and say. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.

Church Leadership Offices

Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets. Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers - Only mention of pastors in the New Testament. 

Purpose of the Church

Our Arena for Growth - It is being at church, present, that we are to be equipped, build one another up, in order to grow in maturity. 

Ephesians 4:12-14 - Our Arena for Growth

Ephesians 4:12-14 - To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 

Message: Our Arena for Growth

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying:

This lesson begins a series of lessons on the purpose of Church. At is core, the purpose of the church is to bring God glory. Yet, in this passage today, after studying in the last 2 lessons of church offices - the next verse in Ephesians is Paul calling to the Church leaders the goal To equip the saints for the work of ministry. So it is in the church that we become equipped. I was in a church that mentioned this often and yet they had so many people on staff doing ministry, it made me wonder at times if they were really equipping or simply enabling the church people to depend on the pastors.  

I think my focus on church has often been from the words in Hebrews 10:24-25 -- And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. I suppose it seems that while the leaders are equipping the body is being challenge while also being encouraged. Living in our world is a challenge on many levels. We strive to keep fighting the fight (I Timothy 6:12) and yet even in this we need encouragement from one another. 

I think our current church does a great job preaching and teaching. We are now in a large class after service. Again, great preaching and good people. And maybe the mere presence of being there is an encouragement but talking through life with one another, that remains a challenge. But no matter what,  there is something special about being in church versus being alone and I think this is what the writer's of Tabletalk are emphasizing here. It is the place that encourages us and anchors us in spiritual growth. I don't think this means that all of our spiritual growth occurs at church but even as I think about in my life, the fellowship and the people in my life that have resulted in my spiritual growth have all come from church. Many people stay away from church for reasons that I have experienced, not liking the leadership, not agreeing with it. And yet in the process we miss out on what remains important, being taught, shepherd and encouraged. 

Personal, individual study is good, but it is through fellowship with others and talking to others about these studies and being involved in life with others that growth happens. In my life, meeting with other men has been a church. Even my work in GMO is a church of sorts as we continue to engage in discussions around truth. I think there is even something mysterious about how this happens. There is an accountability that takes place. Overall, it is central to who we are. 

I see this further in this passage. Leaders will equip the saints for the work of ministry and in this time at church we are coming together for building up the body of Christ. A building is one of strength and the community of believers is meant to have a strength. As the passage continues, church life recognizes that Jesus is not walking with us in physical form and yet as we have each other and are with each other we have this goal of all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ -- all of those words speak of maturity; our goal is to grow and grow together - focusing on the Son of God. We are not meant to always be young, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. We are meant to mature so that the cares of this world do not have a stronghold on us. 

Summary: It is at church, present, that we are to be equipped and build one another up in order to grow in maturity. 

Promise: No amount of study that we do on our own, however helpful it may be, can substitute for the benefit we receive by participating in the educational ministry of our local church

Prayer: O Father God, thank you for orchestrating life as you have. In all times, the church has been the place we need to be taught, encouraged, and grow. Thank you for knowing that we need this and giving me always that desire to be involved. Thank you for the people you have placed in my life to do the work of ministry and being in fellowship. You have given me always a great love for church. I'm so thankful for my mom and her love for it and showing us at an early age the importance of being with one another. I always think of those Sunday evening potlucks and doing life together. We still need this. I still need this. Help me to continue to invite others into our home and figure out a way to be with one another in these ways. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.

Church Leadership Offices

Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets. Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers - Only mention of pastors in the New Testament. 

Ephesians 4:11 - Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers

Ephesians 4:11 - And He gave . . . some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers. 

Message: Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying: 

I've allowed myself to get busy this past week and also sort of struggled taking time to get to the Word. Had some early morning meetings at 8 and sort of waking up late or busying myself with other things in the morning. So I came back to this series and these thoughts on church leadership. 

Last time I looked at the offices of prophets and apostles, the consensus from Ligonier ministries is these leadership positions are temporary while the offices of evangelists, shepherds (elders), and teachers (pastors) are addressed in places like I Timothy and I Peter and Titus, places in scripture that more thoroughly talk about the positions of people in the church.  

I Timothy 3:8-13 - 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

I Peter 5:1-4 - 1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

What I found interesting is it seems just about every church out there agrees that a church has a position called pastor and yet pastor is really only mentioned in the New Testament as a church role in this verse of Ephesians 4:11. It makes me wonder if the practice that has resulted in churches is out of convenience. I think of the many churches in towns that are smaller. These churches have the paid pastor that is called and then there are the unpaid elders or deacons that are bi-vocational - working a job in society and then also in a leadership role at church. I think it is interesting because everywhere seems to be this paid position of pastor leading the church. And yet how did we get here? Why do we have these paid positions and non-paid positions. 

I worked as a treasurer at church for many years, taking care of the checkbook of the church, paying people, receiving tithes and offerings and depositing them and taking care of the monthly financial report to the church. I helped set up the budget and report on it. I was paid. I started out at $80 every two weeks and then when the church got larger, moved up to like $350 every 2 weeks. It was a good source of extra funds for me that helped our family. But, even though I received it I always wondered if it was correct that I was being paid for this work. Granted, this is the work I had been trained for in school. But, others were working and serving in the church and not being paid.   

My daughter attended a church recently I recommended. One of my close friends is one of the pastors at this church in the area of congregational care. I did not realize though that the church approves of women pastors, not lead pastors, but part of the staff. This is definitely something that has changed in churches in the last 10 years or so. It changed in a church we were attending. In many ways, it is different from how I have been trained growing up in the churches I've attended. At times, it says leaders are "the husband of one wife" while at other times it does not specify gender identity when speaking of spiritual gifts and this is often where it is inferred the roles of church leadership. 

My friend's church website says, "While we understand that there are differing views and interpretations of scripture around this subject, our practice at Crossings is to affirm and support both men and women who are called and empowered to ministry and leadership in the church." It says there are differing views, but our practice is to affirm and support both men and women. I think there is a recognition there that we are doing our best to define scripture the way we see it and yet also understand that we are fallible people. We are sinners. And though we walk forward in peace about what we believe God is telling us, we realize that there are differing views and interpretations. The reality is the body of Christ is big as I have discussed and talked about. It is visible to us, but invisible to Him. 

Often what I hear is people saying that the goal is the gospel of God and leading people to the Savior. And with that goal in hand, why would it matter if the person leading is a man or woman. 

Honestly, I am not sure what my conclusion of this is for now. I could keep analyzing it over and over. But I am not sure where I would end up. I do know that I do not have comfort in hearing a woman get up and preach a sermon. And yet in the last church we attended, there were times when a woman might share a short devotional. 

There are teachers and evangelists also mentioned in this lesson that I didn't even touch on. Again, I think our hope is to role all of these roles into one pastor system. 

Summary: God has clearly given us officers of leadership as evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. 

Promise: It is easy to be critical of these leaders, but we need to be thankful for them. 

Prayer: Lord, I do not know what to think right now about this subject. I do know what I am comfortable with but I do not know what is right or wrong on this issue of one pastor versus a plurality of leaders over a church and whether we should allow women to be in this role. It seems hard to reconcile at times what is right and wrong. Are we simply looking like the World or is it rather our tendency to uphold a single sex as the one leadership type model in our world today. I do not know God. I ask for your wisdom and your direction. I need your help. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.

Church Leadership Offices

Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets.